What should we do next?
This was indeed a problem, and everyone felt a bit lost.
It was rather laughable. Each person present was much older than Zhao Shuning, but ever since they entered the Dark Swamp, they had all willingly regarded Zhao Shuning as their sole leader.
Anyway, they basically followed whatever Zhao Shuning said.
"Ashui, Ayue, what do you two think?"
The two teenagers scratched their heads somewhat awkwardly, then said, "Leader Ning, we don't know much. We'll follow whatever the leader says."
"Shuang'er, what's your opinion?"
"I think since we've just won our first battle, we should press on and charge up to the second level."
Zhao Shuning let out a chuckle. Seeing Se Se looking hesitant to speak, she then said to her, "Se Se, what do you think?"
"Leader, I think it's too reckless to just charge in like this. In my family, there are quite a lot of descriptions about these trial grounds. The second level is definitely not that easy to reach. Especially with our current ranks, our combat strength and practical abilities are not up to par. If we go up, we'll just be cannon fodder and targets for those spirit beasts."
When Se Se finished speaking, everyone stared directly at her.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, no—"
Everyone quickly waved their hands.
Zhao Shuning sighed and said, "Se Se, I've always thought you have a different kind of charm, elegant like a well - bred young lady. I knew you liked to read, but I didn't realize your mind is so much sharper than the others'."
Flattered by Zhao Shuning's praise, Se Se, who was already shy, blushed even more.
"Did you all hear that? What Se Se said is exactly what we should do now."
"What we should do? Xiaoning'er, I don't quite understand."
Everyone looked equally confused. Even Se Se was puzzled. She had only mentioned the terrain problem and hadn't come up with a solution. Why did the leader say that?
"Our current ranks are too low! So far, raising our ranks is the most important thing for us."
Everyone, who had been eagerly waiting for Zhao Shuning to come up with a solution, slumped back down as if deflated after hearing this.
"Zhao Shuning, it's easier said than done. If it were so easy to raise our ranks, why would everyone come to the Misty Rain Tower?"
"We came for the trials to raise our ranks, right? Don't forget what I told you before. What's the most abundant thing on the first level?"
Suddenly, several pairs of eyes lit up.
"Leader, do you mean spirit herbs? But the spirit herbs are guarded by spirit beasts. We can't pick them so easily."
Zhao Shuning just smiled and didn't say a word. She gently waved her hand, and Xiaoli, who had been quietly lying behind her, shook its body and stood up.
"Goodness, how could we forget about Xiaoli? Xiaoli is a spirit beast from the second level. It has a deterrent effect on those ordinary spirit beasts on the first level. With Xiaoli around, it'll be much easier for us to pick those spirit herbs."
Zhao Shuning nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that everyone wasn't too stupid.
"So what should we do next?"
"Split into two groups. Shuang'er, Se Se, Kong Shishuang, you three go with Xiaoli to pick the spirit herbs. Remember, the more the better. I'll need them. They'll help raise your ranks."
The three nodded and took on their tasks.
"Ashui, Ayue, you two are boys, so you're stronger. I'll leave the task of building the house to you."
"Okay, we got it, leader."
Next, everyone simply had something to eat and then prepared to start their tasks.
Zhao Shuning found a branch and started drawing something on the grass. No one bothered her.
She had given the map to Se Se and the other two. With nowhere else to go, Zhao Shuning started thinking about how to refine pills to help everyone raise their ranks.
If it were in the past, with her master by her side and her not being so eager to help others, she definitely wouldn't have bothered about helping these people raise their ranks. But now, things were different.
During these days of getting along, the five of them had given her their trust and warmth.
Shuang'er was carefree. She got scared easily when something happened and would act coquettishly with the people she liked. She was absolutely protective of Zhao Shuning.
The same was true for Se Se. Zhao Shuning always felt that there was a different kind of emotion hidden in Se Se's eyes. She always looked melancholy, and there must be a lot of secrets in her heart. But even so, Zhao Shuning could feel that Se Se was sincere in getting along with her.
As for Se Se's secrets, Zhao Shuning would just wait until she was willing to share them.
As for Ashui and Ayue, needless to say,
They were twin brothers, honest and upright. They had been bullied a lot to protect Zhao Shuning. Since Zhao Shuning wouldn't stay in the Misty Rain Tower forever, during this trial, she would use her power to help Ashui and Ayue raise their ranks so that they wouldn't be bullied because of their straightforward temper after they left the Misty Rain Tower.
To be honest, Zhao Shuning didn't like Kong Shishuang when she first met her.
This young girl was good - looking, but her mouth was really sharp. But after getting along for a while, Zhao Shuning found that Kong Shishuang meant no harm. It was because her brother was Kong Ye, the master of the Misty Rain Tower. He had spoiled her since childhood, and the students in the Misty Rain Tower were also very friendly to her because of Kong Ye, which made her act domineering.
But her nature was not bad. This trial could also help her temper her character so that she wouldn't make the same big mistake as Zhao Shuning did in her previous life, not being able to see people's true intentions.
After thinking about everyone's personalities, Zhao Shuning formulated special pills suitable for each of them. She just waited for the spirit herbs to arrive and then refine them for them.
After a while, everyone came back. At the same time, Ashui and Ayue brought back a piece of news.
They had found the residence of a group of second - level students. Judging from the situation, they didn't seem to belong to any of the three sects.
"Leader, should we go up and greet them?"
Zhao Shuning shook her head.
"Leader, didn't you tell us at the bottom that we should ally with the weak?"
"We should, but not now."
"So what should we do now?"
"Eat, build the bamboo house, look for spirit herbs, and watch the show."
Watch the show? Everyone looked at each other, wondering where this "watch the show" came from.